Releasable window



Dec. 14, 1937. y w. J. `ZEEB ET AL l 2,102,250

RELEASABLE WlNDOW Filed MaIChvlZ, 1956 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JWM/- fm,

Patented Dee. v14, 1937 UNITED -STATES PATENT OFFICE f RELEASABLE WINDOW Applica-tion March 12, 1936, Serial No. 68,380

- 12 claims. (ci. 2li-52.2)

Our invention relates to windows and particularly to windows for vehicles, like busses, automobiles, street cars, railway cars, and has for its main object to provide means whereby in case of an emergency, instant exits for the occupants of the vehicle may be provided through the removal of the Windows with their frames.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of 'the character mentioned wherein the window frame with a sash and glass panetherein may be removed by a simple, easy and quick movement of one single element.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a device as characterized hereinbefore,

wherein no extra effort or work is needed to remove the window frame after it has been released from the wall of the vehicle, but the slightest pressure either from within vehicle or from the outside thereof will be suflicient to instantly remove the whole window frame with its sash from the Wall of the vehicle, either inwardly or outwardly.

It is a well known fact that the present moving vehicles provide only limited emergency exit for the occupants in case of an emergency and numerous serious injuries and losses of life to the persons have happened in cases of accidents, like ire, collision, explosions, the dropping of the vehicle into bodies of water, etc. only way to get additional emergency exit from such avehicle is to break the windows by some l' forceful mechanical means, like an ax, or hamvided within a vehicle, andA usually only one is provided at the furthest front portion thereof so that in case of emergency it is not available for breaking more than one or two of the windows nearest to its location. The use of such mechanical means is also slow, awkward and cumbersome, especially in case of a sudden emergency and the confusion accompanying the same; and the breaking by such means, or by the hand or footv of the occupant, is madeistill more dii'licult when most vehicles are equipped with shatterproof panes of glass in their windows, as now prescribed by law, making the breaking of them a hard and slow work, and the exit opening dangerous through its ragged edges.

Our invention aims to overcome all these and other dangerous drawbacks and shortcomings of the present moving vehicles and provide an easy and instant exit for the occupants when such At present the a one becomes necessary, as has been pointed out hereinbefore. Y ..1

Our invention has further aims than those which we pointed out hereinbefore, as will be apparent as the speciiication ofthe same proceeds, and among others we may mention: to provide a window frame and-particularly a window frame for moving vehicles of the character specified and detailed hereinbefore which will be simple in construction, easy to operate, inexpensive to manufacture and adapted to be installed into existing vehicle bodies Without changing their construction to any substantial degree,

permitting the use and operation 0f our Windows While they are secured in the wall of the vehicle in a similar manner as the windows now in use in such vehicles are used.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification and accompanying thesame:

Fig. l is a fragmentary front elevation of a Window installed in a vehicle according to our invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar semi-diagrammatical elevation showing the window sash in a partly open position,v portions of the mechanism 'having been removed;

Fig. 3 is a staggered sectional view on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1, portions of the window having been removed, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a detail on an enlarged scale, the 'section being taken 'on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 5 and 5w.) areviews of parts of left handed and right handed wedge action securing means for our improved window, shown in the position and adjacent to the place of their employment;

Fig. 6 shows the three sliding pins employed in our invention for releasably securing the bottom rail of the frame of our window, while l Figs. 'Tand 8 showv details of a slotted rack and gear vmechanism for moving the parts `of saidwedge and pin securing means.

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail. l

Fig. 10 is another cross sectional detail showing the lower ends of certain wedge members employed in our invention.

.shape as the outer circumference oi thesaid frame i0 so that without any further securing means said frame I5 may easily be removed from said opening 22 even by slight pressure, .either inwardly or outwardly from the wail 23 ci the vehicle. The opening 22 in the vehicle wall wi define-ci by the lower edge 24 of an upper portion 25 thereof, the inward edges 21 of left hand .inner and outer wedge cover plates 25 and 25;

the inward edges of right hand inner and outer wedge cover plates 5| and 32, and the top surface 33 of the rack housing or box 24 ar ranged underneath the window in the wall of the vehicle.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, said casing for the rack mechanism is formed by an inner plate 55 top plate 55 and outer plate 31 within which is arranged a base member 35. A plurality of holes 55 are provided in the base member 35 housing upwardly and downwardly slidable pins 4l which are adapted to enter into or to be withdrawn from corresponding holes 4| in the bottom rail Ii oi' the frame I0.

A horizontally slidable rack bar 42 is arranged in the housing or box 34 between the inner side of the base bar 3l and the respective side 35 of said housing 34.

Each pin has an inwardly projecting pin 43 secured thereon withroller 44 at its outer end whereby it may play in an appropriate slot 45 in the rack bar 42. Said rack bar has the teeth 45 arranged in the center of its lower edge cooperating with a gear 41, the pin 45 of which is journaled in the said base bar and the lower part of said wall 55, and to the inner end 45 of said pin, projecting within the space in the vehicle, is secured a crank lever 55 for rocking the same.

The pins 40 will be operated by the rack 42 in a manner to be described presently and will secure or release the lower bar Il oi' the frame I5. For the releasable securing oi' the sides or stiles of the frame I5 in the opening 22 o! the vehicle wall, the left hand and right hand wedges 5| and 52 respectively, will be used.

The wedge 5i shows a vertical outer suri'ace 53 and an inwardly and upwardly inclined inner surface 54 so that its upper end 55 will be considerably wider than its lower end 55, the width gradually increasing from the lower end to the upper end thereof and the wedge 5i being upwardly and downwardly slidable between the respective plates 28 and 25 and in a respective pocket 51 in the wall oi' the vehicle. A second left hand wedge piece 55 may also be used in our' invention being of a reversed inclination and of a length substantially equal to the height oi' s the frame i5 and being slidable in a vertical direction between the plates 25 and 25.

In a similar manner, right hand wedges 52 and 55 may be employed between the plates 5i and 32 and in the upper pocket 55 at right hand side of the window frame, their wedge action being opposed to the wedge action oi the pieces 5I and 58 for the lei't side of the window. The lower end of the left hand wedge proper 5I carries an inwardly projecting pin and roller 5I operating in a slot 52 in the rack bar 42. and similarly a pin and roller 55 is provided at the lower end of the wedge 52 operating in a slot 54 in rack bar 42. Vertical slots 55 are-provided in the inner `side ot the base bar Il to provide for the upward and downward play of the respective pins and rollers 43, 5I and 55 and appropriate recesses 55 and 51 are also arranged at the ends oi said base bar 55 for the lower ends 55 and 55 of the leit hand .and right hand wedges 5I and 52 (Figs. 1 and 10).

'I'he use and operation of our device will be obvious from the drawings and the herein de scription. The window frame I5 with its sash i5 in a closed position will be placed into the openingI 22, easily but still closely tting thereinto, as indicated in Fig. l; the rack bar 42 will then be moved in a right hand direction as' indlcated by the arrows 55 in Fig. 7, the slots 45 pressing. thev pins 40 upwardly into the openings or holes 4i in the bottom of the lower rail il, thereby pressing the window frame against the upper edge of the opening 22 in the upper part of the vehicle wall and also securing said window 'frame against a lateral movement inwardiy or outwardly, at the same time slots 52 and 54 pulling the side wedges 5i and 52 in a downward direction, indicated by the arrows 15 and 1|, which causes the intermediate wedge pieces 55 and 60 to be strongly pressed against the two sides of the window frame thereby further seal` ing and securing the same. In such a position oi the window frame, the sash I5 may be moved upwardly and opened to a desired degree, shown in Fig. 2, and the window may have the role, utility, and appearance of any usual win-a n 'Ihe right hand movement ot dow in a'vehicle. the bar 42 will be executed by turning the crank lever 50 in a clock-wise direction as indicated in Fig. 8 by the arrow 12. In case of an emergency. to provide an instant exit through the respective window opening for the people within the vehicle,'all that is needed is to move the bar 42 in a reverse direction as indicated by the arrow '|4in Fig. 7, and for which it 'is sumicient to turn the crank lever 50 in an anti-clockwise direction, whereupon the respective slots 45, 52 and 54 will cause the respective elements 45. 5I and 52 to execute reverse motions to those described hereinbefore thereby withdrawing said pins 45 from the bottom rail of the window and relieving the pressure of the intermediate `wedge pieces 58 and 5I on the sides of the 'window frame.

It will be obvious that in such a position, the

window frame may be easily and quickly pushed inwardly or outwardly from the opening 22 in the wall of the vehicle by the slightest inward or downward pressure.

The operating lever 55 oi' our device may be sealed in an appropriate housing l5 secured adjacent to the window inside of the vehicle with a hammer or other means arranged in its vicinity, available to the public. and with the usual instructions to break the sealing box Il and operate the lever in case of an emergency.

In Fig. 4. the sealing housing is shown as made of glass while `in Fig. 3 it is indicated as made oi some other easily breakable, and preferably transparent material, like cellophane. and

-it is understood that the detail construction and secured into the frame Il, outside ofthe path oi aioaaso the sash iii, and its lower end may be iinished by a bar '16, as usual.

It' is believed from the above description that those skilled in the art will have no difilculty in understanding the construction, the method of use and operation of the device herein disclosed. The'invention is of simple and practical construction and is adapted to accomplish among others all of the objects and advantages herein set forth.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt .it for various applications without omitting certain features, that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristicsof the generic or speciiic aspects of this invention, and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

What we claim as new, is:

1. In a window, having a frame carrying the window pane, said frame being set sealingly into an opening in a wall; mechanical means tosecure and seal said frame in said opening, and a single element for actuating said means a single movement of said element being adapted to entirely release said frame, said frame being then free to be pushed out from said opening either inwardly or outwardly.

2. In a window, having a frame carrying the window pane, said frame being set sealingly into an opening in a wall; mechanical means to secure and'seal said frame in said opening, and a. single element for actuating said means, said frame being adapted to instantly be released by a single movement of said element, said frame being then free to be pushed out from said opening either inwardly or outwardly.

3. For a window for a moving vehicle, having a frame carrying a window pane, said frame being set sealingly into an opening in the wall of the vehicle; mechanical means to secure and seal the frame in said opening, and a single element for actuating said means, a single movement of said element being adapted to instantly release said frame, `said frame being then free to be pushed out from said opening either inwardly o r outwardly.

4. In a-window for moving vehicles, having a frame carrying a Window pane, said frame being set sealingly but easily removable in a lateral direction into an opening in the wall of the vehicle; a horizontal element underneath said frame slidable in'a. right hand or left hand direction; upwardly movable members operated by said slidable element and adapted to engage or disengage recesses in the frame upon the sliding of said element in one or in the other direction, and means to move said element, in either direction and thereby secure or release said frame through said members.

5. In a window for moving vehicles, having a. frame carrying a window panesaid frame being set sealingly but easily movable in a lateral direction into an opening in the wall of the vehicle, a

horizontal element underneath said frame slidframe, also operated by said sliding element, a movement oi said element in either direction being adapted to respectively secure or release said frame through said upwardly movable members and to seal or release the sides oi' the same.-

through said second member.

6. In a window for moving vehicles, having a frame carrying a window pane, said frame being set sealingly but easily removable in a lateral direction into an opening in the wall of the vehicle; a horizontal element underneath said frame slidable in a right hand or left hand direction; upwardly movable members operated by said slidable element and adapted to engage or disengage recesses in the frame upon the sliding vehicle; a horizontal element underneath said frame slidable in a right hand or left hand direction; upwardly lmovable members operated by said slidable element and adapted to engage or disengage recesses in the frame upon the sliding of said element in one or in the other direction, and means to move said element, said means including a member projecting within the vehicle a single movement of which will set said sliding element in operation and cause an instant securing or release ofsaid frame through said members; two wedge shaped elements on thetwo sides of said frame operated by said sliding element and adapted to seal the two sides of the window or to release the same upon the movement of said sliding element in one direction or the other.

8. In a window, having a frame carrying the window pane and being set into an opening in a wall, means to secure said frame in said opening,

and a slidable element arranged on said wall adjacent to saidframe, a singie movement of said slidable element being adapted to instantly release said securing means, and permit said frame to be pushed out of said opening, either inwardly oi outwardly.

9. VIn a window, having a frame carrying the window pane and being set into an opening in a wall, means to secure said frame in said opening; a pivoted lever arranged on said wall adjacent to said frame in operative connection with said means whereby a single rocking of said lever will be adapted to release said means and pemiit said frame to be pushed out of said opening, either inwardly or outwardly.

10. In a vehicle, having a. window with a frame carrying the window Dane and being set into an opening in the wall of the vehicle, means to secure said frame in said opening, and a mechanical element within the vehicle adjacent to said window, a single movement of said mechanical element being adapted to release said means and permit said frame to be pushed out of said opening, either inwardly or outwardly.

11. In a window having a frame carrying the Window pane and being set into an opening in a wall, means to removably secure said frame in said opening, and means to entirely and instantly release said iirst mentioned means and permit snidtrametobewshedomotsaidopenlngeither inwardly or cutvaxdly. said releasing means beinxopentedbyasinsleinuvementofasinxle 12.1nawindovhavinga1rlmecarryinga sashllidablethereimsaidfnmebaingsetsealinglybuteasilyremovlbleinalateraldirection inmanopeninzlnawalhmech'anicalmnsto seeureandseaiaaidtram'insaidopeninmmd s single element for actuating said means, a single movement of said element being adapted to entirely release said frame, said frame being then fxfee to be lpushed out from said opening either inwardly or outwardly, in any position of 5 said sash, v

- WILLIAM J. ZEEB. JOHN T. DAMMES. ALFRED C. MQRRIS. 

